Audio bezel automatic identification

Abstract

An automatic identification of the features associated with an audio system for a vehicle based on the selection of the associated bezel ( 14 ). The audio system includes a printed circuit board ( 34 ) having at least one finger pad ( 30 ) thereon in communication with a microprocessor ( 16 ). The microprocessor ( 16 ) includes programming sequences for various possible features for the audio system. The bezel ( 14 ) may have no, one or multiple programming tabs ( 36 ) in alignment with corresponding finger pads depending upon the model of bezel chosen. Contact of the finger pads due to the programming tabs will indicate to the microprocessor which programming sequence needs to be initiated to activate the appropriate features corresponding to that particular bezel installed on the audio assembly.

We claim:  
     
       1. An audio system for a vehicle comprising: 
       an audio assembly including a housing with a processor mounted therein and selectable features contained in programming code in the processor, and with contact programming means for sensing contact therewith and being in communication with the processor;  
       a bezel, including buttons mounted thereon, and programming means for being selectably contactable with portions of the contact programming means; and  
       initialization means for selecting portions of the programming code based upon the number and location of programming means contacting the contact programming means, whereby the selected programming code determines the features corresponding to the bezel.  
     
     
       2. The audio system of claim  1  wherein the contact programming means is at least one programming finger pad, contactable with the programming means, and in communication with the processor. 
     
     
       3. The audio system of claim  2  wherein the programming means comprises one of either no finger pad contact and a programming tab extending from the bezel in conductive contact with the at least one finger pad. 
     
     
       4. The audio system of claim  1  wherein the programming means comprises one of either no programming means in contact with the contact programming means and a programming tab extending from the bezel in contact with the contact programming means. 
     
     
       5. The audio system of claim  4  further comprising an elastomeric mat mounted between the contact programming means and the programming tab, including means for providing contact between the programming tab and the contact programming means. 
     
     
       6. The audio assembly of claim  5  wherein the means for providing contact includes at least one carbon pill aligned with the programming tab. 
     
     
       7. The audio assembly of claim  4  wherein the programming means includes one of either no programming tab, one programming tab and two programming tabs, and the contact programming means includes at least two finger pads with selectable alignment for contact with the programming tabs. 
     
     
       8. The audio assembly of claim  7  further comprising an elastomeric mat mounted between the bezel and finger pads, and conductive pills mounted in the elastomeric mat between any programming tabs and the finger pads. 
     
     
       9. The audio assembly of claim  4  wherein the contact programming means includes at least three finger pads and the programming means includes up to three programming tabs, each alignable with a different one of the finger pads. 
     
     
       10. The audio assembly of claim  1  wherein the programming means includes up to two programming tabs and the contact programming means includes at least two programming finger pads. 
     
     
       11. The audio assembly of claim  10  further comprising an elastomeric mat mounted between the bezel and finger pads, and at least two conductive pills mounted in the elastomeric mat, each adjacent to a respective one of the finger pads. 
     
     
       12. The audio assembly of claim  1  wherein the programming means includes up to three programming tabs and the contact programming means includes as least three finger pads. 
     
     
       13. An audio system for a vehicle comprising: 
       an audio assembly including a housing with a processor mounted therein and selectable features contained in programming code in the processor, and with at least one programming finger pad for sensing contact therewith and being in communication with the processor;  
       a bezel, including buttons mounted thereon, and one of either no finger pad contact and at least one programming tab extending from the bezel in conductive contact with the at least one programming finger pad; and  
       initialization means for selecting programming code based upon the number and location of the programming tabs contacting the finger pads, whereby the selected programming code determines features corresponding to the bezel.  
     
     
       14. The audio system of claim  13  further comprising an elastomeric mat mounted between the bezel and finger pads, and conductive pills mounted in the elastomeric mat between any programming tabs and the corresponding finger pads. 
     
     
       15. The audio system of claim  14  wherein the at least one programming finger pad comprises two programming finger pads, and the bezel includes up to two programming tabs extending therefrom selectably alignable for contact with the two finger pads. 
     
     
       16. The audio system of claim  14  wherein the at least one programming finger pad comprises three programming finger pads, and the bezel includes up to three programming tabs extending therefrom selectably alignable for contact with the three finger pads. 
     
     
       17. An audio system for a vehicle comprising: 
       an audio assembly including a housing with a processor mounted therein having selectable features contained within the processor, and with at least one programming finger pad for sensing contact therewith and being in communication with the processor;  
       a bezel including buttons mounted thereon and programming means, for being selectably contactable with the at least one programming finger pad; and  
       initialization means for selecting the selectable features based upon the number and location of programming means contacting the contact programming means, whereby the selected features correspond to the bezel.  
     
     
       18. The audio system of claim  17  further comprising an elastomeric mat mounted between the programming means and the at least one finger pad, and at least one conductive pill mounted in the elastomeric mat aligned with the at least one finger pad. 
     
     
       19. The audio system of claim  18  wherein the programming means comprises one of either no finger pad contact and a programming tab extending from the bezel encouraging contact between the conductive pill and the finger pad. 
     
     
       20. The audio system of claim  19  wherein the at least one programming finger pad comprises three programming finger pads and the bezel includes up to three programming tabs extending therefrom selectably alignable for contact with the three finger pads via the carbon pills mounted in the elastomeric mat. 
     
     
       21. An audio system for a vehicle comprising: 
       an audio assembly including a housing with a processor mounted therein and selectable features contained in programming code in the processor, and with contact programming means for sensing contact therewith and being in communication with the processor;  
       a bezel, including buttons and a programming tab mounted thereon for being contactable with portions of the contact programming means;  
       initialization means for selecting portions of the programming code based upon the number and location of the programming tab contacting the contact programming means, whereby the selected programming code determines the features corresponding to the bezel.  
     
     
       22. The audio system according to claim  21  wherein the programming tab is in constant contact with the contact programming means such that the bezel features are continuously known by the processor.